The article below speaks directly to the expressed concerns of some that the “Occupy Movement” lacks focus. The first of a series of Fresno area one hour protests takes place this Thursday, October 6, from 4:30 to 5:30 in front of the Federal Bldg. on Tulare Street downtown, Fresno. Maybe this will inspire you to make you own theme appropriate signs and banners for the “Occupation”. “People are dying for Profits”, The Greedy Rich are squashing the Needy Poor, One World Corporate Govt.: of, by & for the Rich. Democracy, NOT Plutocracy, Chant: “Hey, hey, what do you say? What politicians have you bought today? ARRESTED: Protestors 700 +, WS Banksters: 0
— Jay Hubbell
Wall Street protesters approve ‘Declaration of Occupation’
By Eric W. Dolan
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The New York City General Assembly — the decision-making body for the “Occupy Wall Street” protest in lower Manhattan — approved a statement of purpose on Friday amid concerns that the movement lacked a clear message.
As corporations enjoy near record profits and Americans face staggering unemployment, protesters have pledged to occupy Wall Street in lower Manhattan until something is done about corporate greed and the influence of the wealthy on American politics. The protesters have been camped out in New York’s old Liberty Plaza, now called Zuccotti Park, since September 17.
“As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together,” the declaration stated. “We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.”
“As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power.”
“We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.”
The NYC General Assembly describes itself as a “horizontal, autonomous, leaderless, modified-consensus-based system.” The body tries to achieve the most agreement possible and prioritizes under-represented groups. The general assembly keeps track of its meetings on its website.
The New York Times had described the protest as a “noble but fractured and airy movement of rightly frustrated young people” whose purpose was “virtually impossible to decipher.” Other media outlets repeated the criticism that the protest had no specific purpose or demands.
Fox news co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle bashed the protest, saying it was composed of “people with absolutely no purpose or focus in life.”
Many progressive and liberal groups did not initially embrace the protest but that changed after a large coalition of unions and liberal groups announced their support for the “Occupy Wall Street” protest more than a week after it began.
